by Vanessa Grafton on 2014-06-17
Recently, the Colton Sports Hall of Fame (CSHF) inducted one of its newest members, Ruben Acevedo, at an induction ceremony held recently at the Frank A. Gonzales Community Center.
Acevedo is a life-long Colton resident who devoted his time to youth sports as a coach and umpire since 1966. Administered by the Colton Recreation and Parks Commission, and established in 2006, the CSHF honors sports legends who call Colton home. Acevedo was nominated and selected to receive this honor in recognition of his 20 plus years as a volunteer coach and umpire for the Ken Hubbs Memorial Little League where he volunteered from 1966-1986.
"He is so humble, but all of his friends agree that he deserves this recognition," shared Brenda Lopez, Acevedo’s daughter.
In 1976, his team fell one game short of advancing to the Little League Western Regional Championship in San Bernardino. In 1980, he established the Colton Umpires Association and was appointed Umpire-in-Chief for Little League District 21 in 1981.
He shares that one of his greatest moments was in 1983 when he represented Colton as an umpire at the Western Regional Championship in San Bernardino. Acevedo was chosen as one of 12 Empires from thousands of people in 11 states. Lopez stated, “My dad was very involved in youth sports. In the 20 years he was involved, he mentored a lot of his players. The people he coached still remember him and their kids are now in sports.”
She went on to share that her father’s contribution “made these young men who they are today and brought so much spirit to the city.” Acevedo said that his favorite part about volunteering was coaching the young athletes and helping them improve their skills. He coached a team called The Dodgers, a major division team, for many years and remembers that time fondly. His all-star teams played in five District championships.
Acevedo worked at the Colton Joint Unified School District and recently retired from his position as Department Head of the maintenance department. Acevedo and his wife, Jennie, have been married for 53 years and have five children, ten grandchildren and two great grandchildren.